President William Ruto has urged African countries to take the lead in climate action, saying the continent can use the transition to attract investment, create jobs and build stronger economies.

Speaking in New York during a meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, Ruto said Africa should approach climate action as an economic opportunity rather than a burden.

“Africa must therefore pursue practical pathways that strengthen our economies while advancing climate action,” he said.

The meeting sought to shape Africa’s common position ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, while building momentum towards COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ruto said Africa has the resources and potential to develop green industries from the outset, with the Global Green Industrialisation Agenda providing a pathway to turn the continent’s renewable energy and natural resources into investment, industry and jobs.

However, he raised concern over what he described as persistent failure by the international community to deliver on climate commitments.

“The world does not lack climate pledges. It lacks delivery. Temperatures are rising faster than promises are being fulfilled. Africa’s task is to help close that gap,” Ruto said.

He identified climate finance as one of the biggest obstacles facing developing countries and called for greater accountability on existing commitments.

“Climate finance is not charity. It is an obligation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement,” he said.

Ruto said the global adaptation financing gap remains between $200 billion and $400 billion annually, arguing that commitments must now translate into actual funding.

He cited the Adaptation Fund, which he said secured about $138 million against a $300 million target, as evidence of the gap between climate pledges and delivery.

The President called on African countries to maintain a united position ahead of COP31, centred on implementation, investment and economic transformation.

He said the continent should build on the Nairobi and Addis Ababa declarations by positioning climate action as a driver of competitiveness, resilience and growth.

Later, Ruto attended a UN high-level meeting on protecting children in the age of artificial intelligence, where he said Kenya was strengthening online child protection through legislation, policies and its National AI Strategy.

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